THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Hilary McClintock, is hosting a free Family Fun Day at the Foyle Arena on 12 August in an effort to raise awareness and vital funds for her two chosen charities – Action Cancer and Tearfund.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Mayor said the family fun day was a great way of getting families from across the Council area out and about and involved in fun activities while raising awareness of two great causes.
“As Mayor I am delighted to be in a position to host a free Family Fun Day where parents and their children from across the Council area can come along to the Foyle Arena on 12 August from 12 to 4pm and take part in a wide range of fun activities. There will be everything from arts and crafts to bouncy castles and an obstacle course, as well as a kids’ carousel and a phone booth, free climbing wall sessions and face painting.
“I hope that as many people as possible will come along and take part in what promises to be a fun filled day of free entertainment. During the day we will have representatives on site from my chosen charities – Action Cancer and Tearfund – who will promote the fantastic work that they do. I will be encouraging families to support the charities by making a small donation and pledging their support for the charities on the day,” she added.
In addition to the family fun day, the Foyle Arena is one of a number of Council leisure facilities currently offering a range of summer activities for kids – including swims, squash, badminton, netball, etc, all for just £1 during the months of July and August.
Concluding the Mayor said: “I am very keen to get kids out and about and active over the summer holidays and I hope that the Family Fun Day will give them a taster of what is on offer at our local leisure centres.
“We live in an environment where television, laptops and video games take up so much of our young people’s time, so these summer activity events are a great way of encouraging them to put them aside and to get out in the fresh air and get active.”
Speaking ahead of the event Tim Magowan from Tearfund said: “Last year Yasmin and her family had to steal seeds from an ants’ nests to survive in Chad. Your support at the fun day could help children like Yasmin to survive this year and thrive in the future. Thank you!”
Gillian Thompson from Action Cancer said: “Action Cancer is delighted to be working alongside the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane. This Family Fun Day will be a great day for the local community whilst helping raise awareness and support people in your local area affected by cancer.
“Action Cancer delivers prevention, detection and support services on board the Big Bus and through Health Action Programmes within schools, communities and workplaces in Strabane and Derry.”
